Redskins’ rushing attack could get 49ers primed for Seahawks

No one is confusing the floundering Washington Redskins with the NFC-leading Seattle Seahawks.

But the 49ers could use Monday night’s trip to Washington to prepare their run defense for a potentially pivotal showdown with Seattle two weeks later.

Not only do the Redskins boast the league’s top-ranked rushing attack, they employ some of the same features as the Seahawks, such as a zone-blocking scheme and a mobile quarterback.

“When the quarterback is under center, there are some similarities,” 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said.

The Redskins’ Robert Griffin III indeed drew comparisons earlier this week to mobile Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, at least in the eyes of linebacker Ahmad Brooks.

And when Griffin hands off to fellow second-year star Alfred Morris, the Redskins hope to do what the Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch did in Week 2 against the 49ers. Lynch ran for two touchdowns and 98 yards in a 29-3 win.

“They’re similar,” linebacker Patrick Willis said of the offenses, “but the Redskins have more option game. … They can run the option out of anything.”

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton didn’t have much success on the run two weeks ago against the 49ers, rushing eight times for a season-low 15 yards. But the Panthers prevailed 10-9, with their lone touchdown coming on a 27-yard carry.

That scoring run by DeAngelo Williams signaled that all might not be right with one of the league’s perennially tough run defenses.

In each of their past two defeats, the 49ers have allowed a rushing touchdown, which isn’t much unless you recall them yielding only three throughout the 2011 regular season. This season, they’ve yielded nine rushing touchdowns overall, and that’s already two more than last season.

Opponents are averaging 3.9 yards per carry this season, up from averages of 3.7 in 2012 and 3.5 in 2011.

The Redskins’ Morris isn’t in a sophomore slump. After gaining 1,613 yards as a rookie, Morris is averaging a league-best 91.8 rushing yards per game, and 5.1 yards per carry.